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Evangelical Scientists Urge Climate Action, Warn of Harm to the “Least of These”

I’ve long hoped for Christian scientists and scholars to take a public stand on climate change. Maybe that would debunk the climate-denial smoke-screens: that the science isn’t settled; or if it is, you can’t believe those godless scientists anyway.

That’s why I was so excited to see more than 200 evangelical scientists and scholars joining their voices on Wednesday to urge — to plead with — Congress to take action to meaningfully reduce carbon emissions. Their message is so simple:

The creation is groaning under the weight of our over-use of fossil fuels;

The burden will fall most heavily on the poor and the vulnerable;

The Earth is already suffering and bearing enormous costs from human-induced climate change;

We are commanded to do no harm to our neighbors, but our national policies are harming the whole world;

The time for debate is over, and you must act now to protect God’s creation.

The complete text of the letter is reprinted below. Have a read; it’s short. And then ask yourself: If Christian scientists have spoken up, then how about Christian pastors, teachers, business professionals, students or [fill in your calling here]? Please, don’t let yourself be among the last Christians to get serious about the global assault on God’s good creation.

The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). Are you maybe what it’s been waiting for? Your scientist-brothers-and-sisters have spoken. Now it’s your turn.

Complete letter text and signatories

July 10, 2013

Dear Speaker Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and Members of the United States Congress:

As evangelical scientists and academics, we understand climate change is real and action is urgently needed. All of God’s Creation – humans and our environment – is groaning under the weight of our uncontrolled use of fossil fuels, bringing on a warming planet, melting ice, and rising seas. The negative consequences and burdens of a changing climate will fall disproportionately on those whom Jesus called “the least of these”: the poor, vulnerable, and oppressed. Our nation has entrusted you with political power; we plead with you to lead on this issue and enact policies this year that will protect our climate and help us all to be better stewards of Creation.

Average global temperatures are at their highest level within the measurement record, and we are beginning to see indications of increasingly disturbed weather. For example, 2012 was the hottest year ever recorded for the contiguous United States, and it will go down as one of the most destructive and disruptive years in U.S. history: wildfires, drought, superstorms, and public health outbreaks. This past year is only one example of the patterns of change we expect to see as the climate warms globally. We’re already spending billions in emergency aid for the victims of hurricanes and weather disasters, and these expenses will only increase as the “once in a lifetime” storms become the new normal.

The Bible tells us that “love does no harm to its neighbor” (Romans 13:10), yet the way we live now harms our neighbors, both locally and globally. For the world’s poorest people, climate change means dried-up wells in Africa, floods in Asia that wash away crops and homes, wildfires in the U.S. and Russia, loss of villages and food species in the Arctic, environmental refugees, and disease. Our changing climate threatens the health, security, and well-being of millions of people who are made in God’s image. The threat to future generations and global prosperity means we can no longer afford complacency and endless debate. We as a society risk being counted among “those who destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18).

We call on you to pass meaningful legislation during this Congress to reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment, thereby strengthening the long-term outlook for our economy and our children. As Christian scientists and educators, we offer our knowledge, experience, and prayerful witness to assist you and all of our nation’s leaders who are willing to address this urgent challenge.

Sincerely, [Names of 200 evangelical scientists and university educators follow]

5 thoughts on “Evangelical Scientists Urge Climate Action, Warn of Harm to the “Least of These””

Many conservative Republicans automatically apply the label of “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) to Republican politicians who work towards reasonable, often bipartisan, policy goals. They are considered anathema to the base of the Republican party.

I wonder what label fundamentalist Christians will apply to these two-hundred and two Christians who have dared to take this public position?

Thank you Davis. I try (I really do) to avoid broad brush statements about either political party. But it simply can’t be avoided: that virtually every Republican opposes serious efforts to care for God’s creation. I reluctantly provided the stats on this in 2011: http://belovedplanet.com/2011/11/13/the-900-pound-gorilla-party-politics/
And in 2012, I reported on GOP efforts to suggest that earth-keeping Christians weren’t true Christians at all:http://belovedplanet.com/2012/02/22/excommunicating-the-creation-stewards/
One small point: I try to avoid the use of “fundamentalist.” It almost never is used other than in pejorative terms. Sadly, unless we awaken to the idolatry of alliance to particular political parties, “evangelical” may soon carry the same sorry connotations, bringing disrepute on the name of Christ.
God is not a Republican, or a Democrat.